-
Continuity helping Bruins overcome key injuries
-
Pastrnak playing at MVP level
-
Boston’s division rivals showing flaws
Continuity is the most overlooked trait for any championship-contending club, but it is often the most essential part of getting teams over the proverbial hump. In the NHL’s vaunted Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins understand this better than anyone, especially after captain Patrice Bergeron elected to return for his 19th season on Aug. 8.
When the Bruins announced Brad Marchand had undergone double hip arthroscopy and labral repair surgery on May 27, many believed it would be a massive blow to the team’s Stanley Cup chances, as he was initially expected back in November. Through the opening four games of the 2022-23 campaign, the Bruins have essentially said no Marchand, no problem.
Marchand led the Bruins in scoring with 80 points in 70 games last year, but Boston is overwhelming opponents through the opening month by using two elite scoring lines and an underrated goaltending tandem to remain among the top challengers in the East. Boston leads the NHL in goals and high-danger goals for at 5-on-5, while riding a league-average PDO — whittling through the small sample is where the data can be misleading, but there’s ample reason to suggest the Bruins can maintain this blistering pace.
If we’re talking about the 2022-23 Bruins, we have to start with David Pastrnak, who is now inarguably their best player. Pastrnak has been an absolute nightmare to deal with and it’s obvious through both the eye test and analytics that Pastrnak is a superstar who has shaken off the distractions that come with contract discussions and is a threat to score on every shift.
During a comprehensive 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Oct. 17, Pastrnak and his linemates, Taylor Hall and David Krejci, out-chanced the Panthers 8-3 while posting a sparkling 72.73 Corsi For share at 5-on-5, via Natural Stat Trick. Pastrnak posted eight shots and scored the early Goal of the Year.
Those aren’t exactly slouches he’s skating by, either. Marc Staal and Radko Gudas are surely pissed off for being another victim of Pastrnak’s highlight reel, which may run longer than a Francis Ford Coppola uncut edit. Pastrnak has recorded three goals and eight points in four games, trailing only New York’s Artemi Panarin for the NHL scoring…